Welcome to the Never-Say-Die comeback of Wagon Days.
Sidelined in 2007 while the Wood River Valley turned its energies to dealing with the fearsome Castle Rock Fire, Wagon Days is returning on Labor Day weekend with more splendor, more pageantry and more Western frontier nostalgia than ever.
Few community celebrations anywhere can equal the Wagon Days finale—some 100 parade units of animal-drawn wagons and horse riders, climaxed by arrival of the six, enormous, mule-drawn Big Hitch freight wagons from the late 1800s. But the extravaganza is only part of the story.
Something more lasting is at work with this tradition that dates back 50 years. Wagon Days represents our community's determination to preserve the celebration as a tribute to the area's heritage and as a focal point for neighbors to work together for the betterment of the quality of life.
Adversity has raised its head twice in Wagon Days' half century.
After being created in 1958, the celebration virtually died on the vine through inattention. But in 1976, then-Ketchum Mayor Jerry Seiffert rallied community groups to revive Wagon Days.
Thereafter it thrived, until community leaders reluctantly made the depressing solution to discontinue Wagon Days because of the 2007 blaze that swept through 48,000 acres and choked the town with smoke.
It was a devastating blow to the pride of the community, not to mention the economic jolt businesses took without thousands of visitors coming to town.
Yet, it strengthened community resolve. It's no wonder this year's Wagon Days will be bigger and better than ever. The community has put its heart and soul into it.
